§ Lord Brabazon of Taraasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether every effort is being made to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to traffic as soon as possible following the bomb explosion; and when they expect it to reopen. [HL2942]
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)In the explosion on Thursday 1 June, Hammersmith Bridge sustained severe local damage where the device was planted under the road near the Barnes abutment, on the east side. The bomb was placed at the end of a crossbeam which directly supports the carriageway. The damage was such that the weight of any traffic on the road above could not be safely carried and the bridge must remain closed to vehicles.
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the highway authority for the bridge, wants to reopen the bridge fully as soon as is practicable. The western footway has been opened to pedestrians and it 68WA is hoped to open the bridge to cycle and motorcycle traffic shortly. The council has reviewed a range of interim measures, including upgrading the temporary propping below the bridge, and providing temporary Bailey bridges spanning across the damaged area. The council has appointed a contractor to carry out the necessary repair work; the contractor has since started work.
Hammersmith and Fulham has established a preliminary work programme which aims to reopen the bridge to traffic by the end of August 2000.